In Texas, Port Corpus Christi Commissioners approved a grant agreement with the Maritime Administration, outlining the terms and conditions for the use of its Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funds.

On June 21, 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $10-million TIGER grant to the port for Phase I construction of the Nueces River Rail Yard (NRRY). When complete, the NRRY will include an 8,000-foot unit train siding and a four-ladder track interchange yard totaling 15,400 track feet, enough space for more than 335 rail cars.

The construction contract documents for Phase I of the NRRY are nearly complete and the project is scheduled to be advertised for bidding later this month. The total estimated cost of the Phase I portion of the NRRY is $18 million. The Port of Corpus Christi Authority will provide $8 million in funding for this project and will recover approximately half of this amount from a surcharge fee that will be assessed to its rail providers.

"The expansion of the port's rail capabilities is an important logistics project critical to the port's strategic diversification efforts. The U.S. Department of Transportation recognized our need for rail improvement and awarded the port with resources from TIGER grant funds to move forward with the construction of the new rail yard. The Nueces Rail Yard will support the growth of movement of goods capabilities in and out of the port," said Mike Carrell, Port Corpus Christi Commission chairman.